The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-03

,vn. Major Louis Souther e. T Bishop and
John S. Phelps A majority of these survive.
Thus far no effort had been made. except by
,orrespondence to extend the privileges of the
rider to Eastern soldiers-though some prog
'ess had been made in Wisconsin-and even
its own home the Grand Army was looked
lpon with some degree of distrust by those who,
not being eligible to mem bership and therefore
unacquainted with the nature OF the bonus that
tied it in fellowship. charged that 1t was the
nucleus OF q military aristocracy that would III
timatefy subvert the constitution and substitute
bayonet rule for the ballot
In September. 1866, a National Soldiers and
Sailors Convention was hold in PittSourg. Pa.
and the opportunity embraced TO present
The Grand Army to the favorable consideration
OF the assembled veterans. AS a result. promi
nent Eastern soldiers were obligated and the
oreanization of three posts in Philadelphia and
PittsburR followed. these being chartered by DR..
Stephenson as commando Ter in chief
The first National Encampment was held in
Indianapolis. in Novemb Der. 1866. and the second
in Philadelphia, Jan. l5 1865. 1t was here that
all distinctions in military rank of members,
other than those officially held during meetings
OF the posts were abolished. The private and
the general were upon the same basis and
both were addressed as comrades. Comrade U.
s Grant hao no larger voice in the order than
the humble ssldier who had held his horse.
During this year Memorial day insti-
tuted, and its observance enjoined by general
order from Coumander-in-c chief General Logan.
1t during tiis year that the order received
Its first staggering blow.
Although nething further from the
be charged thatan order which rady prohibited
discussion of Politics in its meetings was in any
partisan, yet charge was made during
the asperities Of the presidential campaign Of
1868 that the Grand Army was in fact secret
political society, charged with the political ad-
vancement of its members. Those who origin
ally made the charge we're not eligible to mem
bership and could not know much of the inner
workings of the order Nevertheless. the
asperson obtained a considerable degree of
popular credence.
~ do
Grant as one of the party candidates for the
Presidency. a majority of the members of the
order were we'll satisfied, and in their individual
capacities as citizens and voters felt honored in
the privilege of supporting him for that high
office. Others in the order, who also preferred
a military candidate but did not affiliate with
the party that nominated the great soldier. pre-
ferred another Illinois veteran. and Demo-
cratic soldiers and sailors national convention
was called to assemble IN New York at the same
time that the national Democratic convention
was being held. This military body was pre-
sided over by General John A. McClernand, of
Illinois, and took action demonstrating its prefer
ence for that gallant and PATRIOTS soldier for
President But the party convention named
Horatio Seymour, of New York. as it's candidate
and the soldier element was the reverse of
friendly to him.
The nomination of Gen. Frank P. Blair for
Vice president failed to satisfy the soldier ele-
ment. Fraternal feelings stronger than
policy expedency, and when Comrade Grant
was bitterly assalled by a partisan press and
partisan speakers, mai ority of his comrades
rushed to his defense. Members of the order of
course in their capacity citizens, joined Tan
Seymour and Blair clubs. General Logan,
commander in-chef of the order. a candi
date for Congress IN Illinois IN the same cam
paien, and among his most enthusiastic support
Grand Army comrades. who Joined
Logan clubs and hipped and hurrahed and
ried vile-smelIing torches for their commander.
Gen. j. G. Black, then a Republican and
Commissioner of Pensions, by favor of Presiden.
Cleveland, was one of the foremost exporents
of this military enthusiasm.
1t was bitter campaign. War memories were
too fresh to enable those who had risked tn cir
lives amid the carnage of battle to listen with
tolerance to aspersions upon their comrades who
victory Little wonder then. that they were
ultimately infamed with partisan passion. and
that a majority of them became active in parti-
contention.
fact was not taken into account popularity. bu.
rather urged in support of the charge that the
order was a political one So 1t came about that
the Grand Army of the Republic became in q
measure divided. lost in present strength, and
recruiting was materially inferfered with. The
close of the campaign of 1868 found its ranks
great decimated, and in some States there was
scarce a semblance of an organization left In
Illinois. its own parental home, the order suf-
fered SO severely that it was years before it
covered its former standing and in Missouri it
persisted.
it was while the Grand Army was yet under
the cloud following the political storm that the
Inlru NatOnal EncamprnenC met, with pauclty
of members, at Cincinnati, May IL. 1869.
General John A. Logan was reelected COM
chief General Lucius Fairchld
chosen senior chief, and
General Joseph r. Hawley. of Connecticut
junior vice comm n der in chief.
More stringent rules were adopted, absolutely
prohibiting. under any pretext whatever. tho
discussion of politics in the posts. and an i'm
peratve provision was added forbddng the use
of the order by any comrade for his political
and this regulation is yet strictly
enforced.